Spring jack



L. G. PACENT SPRING JACK May 11 1926. 1,584,321

Filed April 17, 1925 INVENTOR Laws 6. PA CENT ATTORNEY Patented May 11, 1926.

LOUIS e. racnrrr, or wrnnrnnn, roan, rAnY, Inc, or new YORK, n. 51.,A con.

ermine area.

ast-an erreijefro 'rlicnnrr a esses coliteaarfron "or are Yen's.

Application filed April r1, 192s. emails-o. 632,597.

This invention relates to spring jacks of the telephone type, and is d1rected,' more particularly, to an linpr-oved self-contained multiple j aclrstruct ure whiph can be readily mounted on the panel or a radio transmitting or receiving set, or in fact on'an'y fiat surface, and which is particularly designed to facilitate plugging in one or more "telephone receiving sets.

The device constituting the preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a molded base "of insulating material, such as hard rubber, having a recess on the side which is intended to be mounted against the panel. This recess is designed to receive a plurality of sets of jack springs, and the base is provided with a plurality of apertures of suitable size to permit the insertion therethrough of ordinary connecting plugs of the. telephone type into engagement with the jack springs. These apertures correspond in number with the sets of jack springs, and each is arranged opposite one of the sets of jack springs. I Generally, the jack springs are arranged so that when a plurality of telephone headsets are plugged in, the re ceivers are all connected in series.

Multi-jacks in accordance with this invention are usually designed to accommodate three plugs, but, of course, they may be de signed to accommodate any desired number.

A very advantageous featureof the preferred embodiment of this invention resides in the fact that it is so designed that when it is mounted on the face of a vertical panel the center lines of the jacks are disposed at a convenient angle to the face of the panel. This makes it especially convenient for plugging in and reduces by a considerable amountthe distance which the multi-jack would otherwise project beyondthe base of the panel, thus contributing materially to the appearance of the device without detracting in the least from its utility and con.-

venience. I

For a detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing, in which panel.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view :of the multijack shown in perspective in Fig. 1;

and

i Fig. 3 is aview of the rear of the inultijack, that is, oft-he side which goesnex't the Thepei s 'o ective view, Fig. 1, shows very clearly thesh'apefof the base 1, hvh-ic'h may be molded ot any *su'itabl'efinsulating nia teri'a'l. This base is provided wit-ha large "recess 2, which'issubstantia-lly e'nc'lose d when it is mountedona panel "or other flat surface, the case may-Abe. The base *l'has a substantially trape-ziform cross section, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2, this arrangement facilitating the disposition of the apertures 3, so that the plugs 4 can be inserted at a convenient angle to the plane of the panel 5 on which the device is mounted. It will be readily understood that the apertures 3 are of such size as to permit easy insertion of a connecting plug 4, which is designed to enthe jack springs. Within the recess 2 and secured to the base 1 are a plurality of sets of jack springs 6. These comprise the substantially U-shaped intermediate springs 6 and the end springs 6". The latter are secured to the binding posts 7, while the former are secured to the base by means of screws 8. When no plugs are inserted in the device, the jack springs constituting each set make contact with each other and, as will be clear from Fig. 3, the binding posts 7 are connected together through the jack springs. If, for instance, a plug 4 connected with a telephone headset, which is not shown,'.is plugged into any one of the apertures 3 and into engagement with the corresponding set of jack springs as shown in F 3, the telephone headset will be connected across the binding posts '7. It, then, another plug having a second telephone headset connected with it is plugged into another'one of the apertures 8 and into engagement with the corresponding set of jack springs, the two headsets will be connected across the binding posts in series relation. Likewise, if a third headset is plugged in, the three will connected in series relation across the binding posts 7.

From an eiraminatii fq 'of Fig. 2 it becomes apparent that the device were so designed that the center lines of the jacks were normal to the plane of the panel on whiclrit is mounted, the base 1 would of necessity be considerably higher that is, the distance which it would project from the face of the panel would, of necessity, be increased. On the other hand, if the base 1 were made rectangular and the jacks so arranged that their center lines were parallel to the face of the panel, it would not be so convenient for the operator as the arrangement shown, and furthermore would also somewhat increase the height of the device, which, of

course, is objectionable from the standpoint of appearance, as well as economy in manufacture.

A still further advantage inherent in the form of base shown residesin the fact that it lends itself particularly well to the process of molding as will be apparent.

Apertures 9 are provided in the base 1 for the mounting screws whereby the device may be attached to the panel, and grooves 10 are provided for bringing in the conductors which are connected to the binding posts 7 It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described, but only by the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A switching device comprising a base of insulating material adapted to be mounted on a. panel, said. base having a substantially trapeziform cross section and recessed on the side thereof which is intended to be placed against the panel, a plurality of sets of jack springs secured to said base and disposed within the recess therein, said base having a plurality of apertures having centerdines extending at an angle to the surface of the panel on which the base is adapted to be mounted, said apertures corresponding in number to the said sets of jack springs, each of said emertures being individually associated with one of said sets of jack springs and so disposed as to permit the insertion cherethrough of a connecting plug whereby the plug can be operatively engaged with the respectively associated set of jack springs.

In testimony whereof atlix my signature.

LOUIS G. PAOENT. 

